C-N bond forming reaction under copper catalysis: a new synthesis of 2-substituted 5,6-dihydro-4H-pyrrolo[3,2,1-ij]quinolines

We report copper-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization of 8-alkynyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines, obtained via a Pd/C-mediated Sonogashira coupling in water, to afford 2-substituted 5,6-dihydro-4H-pyrrolo[3,2,1-ij]quinolines. Further functionalization of the compounds synthesized was carried out under Heck, Sonogashira, and Suzuki reaction conditions.